Simulation and training platform preps soldiers
ProductAugust 17, 2011
Alice Moss
Military Embedded Systems
Chris A. Ciufo
General Micro Systems, Inc.
Since simulation and training are supposed to be realistic, how realistic is it for soldiers to have to learn commands and actions specific to operating the simulation device - actions that would never be used in combat?
Since simulation and training are supposed to be realistic, how realistic is it for soldiers to have to learn commands and actions specific to operating the simulation device – actions that would never be used in combat? Quantum3D’s CG2 subsidiary is thwarting this potential challenge – plus many others – with its ExpeditionDI fully immersive, wearable training and simulation platform (sans the need for soldiers to learn simulation-only commands). Specifically, while the system trains soldiers to act as individuals in combat, it also maintains coordination and communication needed for team functionality. Accordingly, ExpeditionDI is being integrated into the Joint Forces Command-sponsored Future Immersive Training Environment Joint Capabilities Technology Demonstration (FITE-JCTD). So clearly, Expedition DI’s got some great credentials (many more than we can list here), but what else makes this training and simulation system so compelling? For starters, ExpeditionDI has a single-package hot-swappable battery, powering a ruggedized, wearable computer powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU and NVIDIA FX880M GPU. Additionally, the training and simulation system features a Head Mounted Display (HMD) at a 1,280 x 1,024 resolution to realistically render the sights and sounds of the battlefield. The HMD coupled with a head tracker afford a 360-degree field of regard, and a hand-grip controller serves as an intuitive interface. Meanwhile, posture sensors help the trainee by reinforcing effective tactical behaviors and giving stance information. The open-architecture ExpeditionDI runs a plethora of simulation software such as RealWorld from DARPA and Total Immersion, SVS from Advanced Interactive Systems, and VBS2 from Bohemia Interactive. The company also says “any software can be integrated with ExpeditionDI SDK.”
